Betsy got this cake and candles so we could celebrate my birthday in our room at Blackwater State Park Lodge. March 9, 2012. (Photo by Betsy).
(Note: All pictures may be enlarged by clicking on them once or twice.)
Last Friday was my 70th birthday. I remember thinking that my Dad was old when he turned 70, but I really don’t feel that way about 70 anymore.
Betsy, however, managed to find a subtle way to remind me of my advancing years.
Blowing out the candles on my birthday cake. March 9, 2012. (Photo by Betsy).
The advantage of her subtleness was that it made it easier to blow out all the candles!
Cascade on Falls Run, Blackwater State Park, West Virginia. March 9, 2012. (Photo by Betsy).
But I’m happy to report that earlier in the day I still felt young enough to do some bushwhacking in Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. Betsy went with me to this pretty cascade on Falls Run, and then she sat guard on a ‘sitting rock’ while I bushwhacked to two waterfalls further down the run. Both were very pretty.
Upper Waterfall on Falls Run, Blackwater State Park, West Virginia. March 9, 2012.
Since there was no trail I had to work my way around and over rocks, boulders, fallen trees and rhododendron. I was able to get fairly close to the Upper Waterfall on Falls Run, and captured this picture. This waterfall is about 17 feet tall.
Lower Waterfall on Falls Run, Blackwater State Park, West Virginia. March 9, 2012.
It was harder to get to the Lower Waterfall on Falls Run. This waterfall is about 30 feet high, but I could never get a clear view of either the very top or the very bottom. This was the best I could do by shooting through a narrow space between two boulders.
Well, that was my big day. We saw more waterfalls that day and I did more bushwhacking, but those pictures and adventures will have to wait for another day. Now I think I could use a nap!
Tags: American Life, Birthday, Hiking, Travels, West Virginia
Senior Moments 
March 12, 2012 at 3:52 am |
I may be younger, but you and Betsy could run circles around me! Sounds like the birthday was fantastic and with lovely photo memories to look back on.
March 12, 2012 at 5:57 am |
Way to go George, I’m sure you had a great day.
March 12, 2012 at 6:05 am |
You guys sure are staying busy – BFSP is one of my favorite places to rent a cabin for a week – http://bigdudesramblings.blogspot.com/2009/11/still-kid-at-heart-and-glad-of-it.html
March 12, 2012 at 6:54 am |
Great to know that all went well. Saw also Betsy’s update.
For a bloody 70 year old you make many of us younger ones look like “wimps”! But be cautious, mate.
Tell Betsy to look at Carletta’s tree full of RED CARDINALS.
Magnifico! ( That’s my best Italian – ha ha!)
Cheers and congratulations.
Colin
March 12, 2012 at 8:14 am |
Glad you had such a great birthday! My Dad turned 76 in December and he, like you, is one of the youngest people I know. Here’s to many, many more birthdays!!
March 12, 2012 at 8:43 am |
I would say you are getting around well out there in the wild for someone who just had their 70th birthday! You’re as young as you feel! Happy Birthday belatedly! Glad you had such a great day.
March 12, 2012 at 9:07 am |
What a great birthday trip, George! And it does look as though you had a terrific 70th birthday — you youngster you!!! I’ll be 80 next year! Yipes! Can’t believe it!! Your photos are fantastic and, of course, I do love the waterfalls! Have a great week and take care of the cold!!
Sylvia
March 12, 2012 at 9:09 am |
A lil ‘love-bird’ said it was your birthday, so I wanted to wish you a very Happy Happy (belated) 70th (or is that your 30th?) Birthday! =)
March 12, 2012 at 9:41 am |
Glad to see you had a fabulous birthday celebration! I would imagine that bushwhacking down to see more waterfalls wouldn’t be that hard for a senior hiker like you – it’s trying to get back up the hill that would really show your lung capabilities! That’s a lot of waterfall to find in one day! Have a great week you two!
March 12, 2012 at 10:32 am |
Glad you got to spend your birthday doing what you like the best.
I’m two years behind you and Betsy and I can’t make those climbs anymore! I’m jealous!
March 12, 2012 at 10:38 am |
Yes, I could use a nap just reading about your adventures! You are certainly not 70, George!!! I think you must be about 30 or 40!! The fourth picture is lovely, it looks like a ribbon of water, or a banner waving downhill.
March 12, 2012 at 12:55 pm |
Every time I read ‘bushwhacking’ I thought of swashbuckling. So, now I am really exhausted as well!!!!
I am so glad you had a good day George, you deserve it. Even if you are a bushwhacker. 🙂
March 12, 2012 at 3:04 pm |
Sounds like a very young 70 year old. I love the waterfalls,each one is so pretty.
March 12, 2012 at 3:29 pm |
Happy Birthday, George! (And you know it is the new 60.)
March 12, 2012 at 4:15 pm |
I was just reading Betsy’s post and I told her you DID NOT look 70 years old! 🙂 I think you got some really good genes from your Dad!
LOVE your shot of the Upper Waterfall – lovely camera work on that water!!
March 12, 2012 at 5:25 pm |
Happy 30th birthday!!!!!
Bob says we are just 17 so I understand. LOL
What a nice birthday trip you all planned. You got to find SO many waterfalls.
Super pictures. MB
March 12, 2012 at 5:42 pm |
Glad you had such a good time on your birthday. : ) Sounds so very nice!!
March 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm |
So happy you enjoyed your birthday. Beautiful waterfalls and that red velvet cake looks divine! Hope you are feeling better…I, too, have had sinus problems.
March 12, 2012 at 9:58 pm |
Happy Birthday, even if I am late. Its apparent you had a good day!
March 13, 2012 at 12:18 am |
Happy Birthday! Ah, subtle seventy. I will be there next year. I am grateful for each day.
I love your photos, and am glad you had a great day on nature Lorri
March 13, 2012 at 5:39 am |
Happy belated birthday George. Speaking from experience, I can say bcoming 70 isn’t all bad… 🙂
March 13, 2012 at 5:56 am |
Happy Birthday! I love Your birthday trip. What a pleasure it was for me to read Your post and admiring beautiful photos. Well, I have to wait two years and two months, and then I am 70 years old. Well, old and old, because I am not feeling old and I am very active outdoor activities man. 🙂
March 13, 2012 at 7:12 am |
Happy birthday! May you have another 70 years.
March 13, 2012 at 12:35 pm |
happy belated birthday. what a sweet little cake courtesy of betsy. and that birthday trip looks wonderful too.
many many happy returns of the day.
March 13, 2012 at 1:18 pm |
Belated birthday wishes and that waterfall is a beauty.
March 15, 2012 at 9:23 am |
Happy Birthday. At first, I thought it said 10 on the candles! 😉